Carbonating apparatus



March 30, 1943. J. L. HUDSON CARBONATING APPARATUS Original Filed Aug. 22, 1940 "i 2 Wafer A4 2 Sheets-Sheet l i 75 flimosf/rere.

Ar TOR/V5) J. L. HUDSON CARBONATING APPARATUS March 30, 1943.

Original Filed Aug. 22, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 //v wwro/a' ATTO/WVAF) Patented Mar. 30, 1943 CARBONATING APPARATUS James L. Hudson, Detroit, Mich., assignor to Gentral Discount Company, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Original application August 22, 1940, Serial No.

1942, Serial No. 451,580

6 Claims. ((1261-19) This invention relates to apparatus for dissolving gas in liquids and more particularly to carbonators for charging water or other potable liquid with CO2 gas. The present application is a division of my copending application Serial No. 353,636, filed August 22, 1940.

The solubility of CO2 gas in water varies inversely with the temperature of the fluids and directly with the pressure to which they are subjected during mutual contact; and under any given conditions of temperature and pressure the rate at which solution can be efiected is dependent upon the areas of mutual contact between the liquid and gas, the rate of solution rising with the area of contact. CO2 gas is usually supplied in charged cylinders under pressure that is ample to effect carbonization at satisfactory rates, especially if cool water is available. As city water supply pressures are not ordinarily high enough for efiicient carbonating it has been customary to provide motor driven pumping apparatus to force the water into the carbonating chamber against the pressure of the CO2 gas, the pump motor commonly being controlled by switch means actuated by a float that rises and falls with the water level in the carbonator chamber. Obviously such automatic'pumping apparatus is bulky and heavy and in operation consumes energy so that its relatively high first cost and operating cost are objectionable. In the few instances in which water is available at sufiiciently high pressure for efficient carbonation some automatic means must be provided to insure the introduction of both water and gas in suitable amounts into the carbonating chamber and this has been accomplished by pressure controlled waterand gas valves mutually connected so as to effect introduction into the carbonator chamber of suitable'amounts of water and gas at the same pressure. Such automatic valve devices are less bulky and heavy than pump apparatus but they must be nicely made to insure the requisite balance of water and gas delivery pressures, so that their cost also is unduly high.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved water carbonating device capable of operating successfully on unequal pressures of gas and water without resorting to the complication and expense of either motor driven pumping apparatus or pressure controlled water and gas valves, as used in the prior practices above referred to.

More specifically, it is an object of the invention to provide a carbonator in which the above stated object is accomplished through the use Divided and this application July 20,

of a cycle of operation in which the introduction into the carbonator of water atreadily available supply pressures is accomplished by loweringtemporarily the gas pressure in the carbonator by means of automatic gas venting devices.

A further object of the invention is to provide apparatus of the character last referred to in which the number and duration of the periods during which the pressure islowered in the carbonator i minimized so as to correspondingly minimize objectionable variation in the discharge pressure of the carbonator during draft of carbonated water.

It is an added object of the present invention to provide an improved device having the above noted characteristics which is simple in construction, dependable in operation, and relatively inexpensive to manufacture.

Fig. 1 is a side view, partly in section, of an improved carbonating device embodying the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view of the device of Fig. 1, said view being taken, on an enlarged scale, in the direction of the arrows on the section plane passing through the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view of the distributing tank, the view being taken, on an enlarged scale, in the direction of the arrows on the section plane passing through the line 3-3 of Fig. l.

Fig. 4 is a top view of the impeller wheel provided in the mixing tank, the view being taken, on an enlargedscale, in the direction of the arrows on the plane passing through the line 4-4 of Fig. l.

Before explaining in detail the present invention it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings, since the invention i capable of other embodimentsand of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also it is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation, and it is not intended to limit the invention claimed herein beyond the requirements of the prior art.

In the drawings there is shown, by way of example, an improved water carbonating device embodyingthe present invention. The invention is herein illustrated and described as embodied in a device used for carbonating water and dispensing the carbonated water. However, it will be understood that my invention may be successfully applied and embodied in devices used for saturating liquids with gases in general, and is not limited to water and CO2; gas.

The structure illustrated in the drawings comprises, generally, a mixing tank connected with the sources of gas and water supply, in which tank mixing of the water and gas takes place, and a distributing tank from which the carbonated water is delivered to a dispensing faucet. While the two tanks, as such, are structurally separate and distinct the conduit which connects them is always freely open so that said tanks and conduit constitute a container means having throughout a continuous interior chamber or space within which the water and gas are mixed and from which the carbonated water is distributed or dispensed.

Referring tothe drawings, the mixing tank comprises a cylinder l closed at its top by a cover II, and at its bottom by a member l2 which is provided with a port l3 to which is connected a conduit l4 leading from a refrigerator device l5 which, in turn, is connected to a source of water supply. A check valve i6 is interposed in the conduit H in order to prevent reverse flow of water. Adjacent the water port i3 there is operatively mounted a water wheel or impeller I! which operates a mixer l8 mounted preferably but not necessarily on the same shaft with the impeller I'I, this latter being operated by the incoming water. A conduit l9 connecting the mixing tank with the source of gas supply opens into the mixing tank with a port 20. A gas .diflusing stone 2!, which may be made of any suitable material such as carborundum or sandstone, is provided at the bottom of the mixing tankunder the water wheelv i1. A check valve 22 is operatively interposed in the conduit is to prevent reverse flow of the gas.

The top portion of the mixing tank is provided with a connecting conduit or pipe 23 leading to the lower portion of the distributing or dispensing tank into which it opens with a port 24 provided'in the member 215 secured to a cylinder 28 having any suitable top closure, the cover ll of the mixing tank being extended for this purpose in the particular construction shown. A discharge pipe 21 having its inlet near the bottom of the distributing tank leads to a dispensing faucet (not shown). In the cover H of the distributing tank there is also provided a relief valve 28 controlling an escape conduit 29 leading into the atmosphere and adapted to be closed by operation of atension spring 32 connected to a lever 3| carrying the valvemember proper 28 oi' the valve 22. V

In the distributing tank there is provided well 32 open at its top and having-a ported'botwhile its bottom is disposed near the lower permissible water level. Thus, the height of the well 32 determines the general range of maximum fluctuations of the water level in the distributing tank, as hereinafter explained.

In the well 32 there is operatively arranged a submerged chambered body 35 connected to the lever 3i by means of a rod 36. In this design I make the body 35 in the form of a hollow ball. It is provided with a draining orifice 31 preferably about one-quarter of an inch in diameter, a gas admitting orifice 38, preferably about one sixty-fourth of an inch in diameter, and an additional gas admitting means in the form of a tube 39 of about one-quarter of an inch in diameter, said tube being arranged within the ball as shown. The weight of the ball and the resistance of the spring 30 are so selected that when the ball is empty, the spring 30 is capable of supporting the ball 35 and closing the valve 28.

However, when the ball 35 contains a considerw able amount of water, and the well 32 is empty.

the spring 30 yields to the weight of the waterloaded ball and opens the valve 28. The spring 30 is also capable of supporting the ball 35 when the same is submerged in water, whether empty or filled, in both cases the load on the spring being less than that produced by the empty ball when the well 32 is also empty.

The operation of my improved carbonizing device is asfollows: The water from the pipe line or any other suitable source of water supply enters the conduit i4 usually at a pressure of about forty pounds per square inch and passes through the refrigerator [5 wherein it is cooled to about 40 F. in order to increase its gas absorbing capacity. Passing through the check valve IS the water issues from the port IS in a stream capable of rotating the impeller i'i actuating the mixing wheel i8. At the same time CO2 gas usually under pressure from 60 to 120 pounds per square inch is passing through the conduit l9, check valve 22, port 20, and enters the mixing cylinder through the difiusing stone 2| which acts to separate the gas into a large number of minute streams. Passing up through the stirred water, the gas is absorbed thereby and carbonated water fills the entire tank and passes through the pipe 23 into the distributing tank. In starting operation of the device the draft faucet may be held open until water begins to issue, the vent valve 28 being closed. Then if the faucet is closed pressure begins to build up in the space enclosed by the two tanks. With the pressure in the tanks approximately atmospheric when the inflow of water and gas begins, such inflow will continue in the case of the water until the tank pressure reaches the maximum water pressure in the supply line and after that the inflow of gas continues until the tank pressure reaches approximately that of the maximum pressure in the gas supply line. The rate at which the stone 2| and check valve 22 can pass gas through it is low enough so that an ,ample amount of water can enter the tanks before the pressure therein rises to the water sunnly pressure.

tom 33 provided with a valve 3| made of cork and opening downwardly. vThe well 32 is se-' cured to the cylinder 23, andhas its top disposed near the upper permissible water level, 76.

The carbonated water enters the distributin mix through the port 24 and fills the tank until the'pressure oi the gas and air entrapped in the up er part of the distributing tank substanreaches the cork valve 34, said valve will rise and close the opening in the bottom of the well 32, but that when the water rises above the top of the well, the well will be filled and the body 35 will be submerged and filled.

If a quantity of carbonated water is now withdrawn from the dispensing faucet, the water will drop to a lower level, say level 4l-4l. This will relieve the pressure in the distributing tank and will permit a small quantity of gas to escape from the carbonated Water, this being replaced by additional gas seeping in through the porous stone 2!.

It is an important advantage of the present invention that in most withdrawals of carbonated water from the faucet the resulting fluctuations of the water level in the distributing tank do not affect the relief valve 28, since the well 32 remains filled. Therefore, sudden drops of pressure during withdrawals rarely occur and the carbonated water usually comes out of the faucet in an even stream. and without spurting.

When. however, the water level in the distributing tank drops to an undesirably low level, such as 4242, and continues to fall, the weight of the water in the well 32 opens the valve 34 and permits discharge of water through the bottom of the well. When the well 32 is emptied to about level 4343, the weight of the filled body 35 becomes sufiicient to overcome the resistance of the spring 30 and to open the relief valve 28, thereby venting excess gas and decreasing the pressure in the distributing tank and in the mixing tank to substantially atmospheric pressure. This drop in pressure is made possible by the fact that the gas discharge capacity of valve 28 is much larger than the effective inlet capacity of check valve 22 and difiusing stone 2|. Water from the supply line then rushes into the mixing tank, and carbonated water contained in the mixing tank rushes capacities of vent valve 28, the check valve 22 and diffusin stone 2| and also the relative effective capacities of openings 31 and 38 and of the valve 34 and tube 39, it is possible to insure that the vent valve 28 will be held open longenough to insure admission of the requisite amount of water from the simply line and yet;

that the action of the system is rap d' enough so that the water will not fall substantially below the level u 44 in the distributin tank-"at any.

time under normal operating conditions. in Fig. 1 there is shown in full'l nesthe respective positions of the parts in the distributin tank with valve 23 closed and well 32 filled. In

dotted lines there are shown positions of the the spring 30 will then close the valve 28 p e-' venting wasteful escape of gas. When the d tributing tank is being emptied rapidly, draining of water from the body 35 is increased in rate by the action of the gas admitting tube 38 which comes into action to aid orifice 38 when the water level in the well 32 falls below the mouth. of said tube 39.

There is thus provided an improved water fluctuations of said water level do not afiect the operation of the dispensing faucet. The

device is automatic in its action. In addition.

should the water supply completely fail, the device automatically'shuts off the escaping gas preventing undesirable waste thereof.

What I claim is:

1. In liquid-carbonating apparatus, the combination of closed container means having a continuous chamber within which CO2 gas can be mixed with liquid underpressure and from which the carbonated liquid can be dispensed: a liquid supply conduit opening into the container means: means associated with said conduit for preventing outflow therethrough from the container means; an inlet conduit for CO: gas opening into the lower part of the enclosed space of the. container means, said conduit having a fixed'metering passage and being constructed and arranged to afford constant access of gas to the container means; a discharge conduit for carbonated liquid leading from the container means with its inlet opening below the top of the chamber space of the container means; a gas vent conduit for conducting gas from the upper part of the chamber space of the container means to the atmosphere, the effective gas-conducting capacity of said vent conduit being substantially greater than that of the said inlet conduit for gas; a vent valve for controlling flow through the vent conduit; and means for actuating the vent valve controlled by the rise and fall of the level of liquid within the container means to open the vent conduit when said liquid falls below a predetermined level and to close said conduit when said liquid has risen again above said level.

2. A liquid-carbonating apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which means is associated with the gas inlet conduit and the container means for dispersing the gas entering the latter.

3. A liquid-carbonating apparatus as claimed in..claim l in. which the means for actuating the vent valve comprises a well disposed within the container means and having an opening in its upper part through which liquid rising in the container means can flow into the well and having an outlet aperture in its lower part, a valve device for the said outlet aperture having a. part buoyant in liquid and sensitive to change in the liquid level in the container to maintain said aperture closed while the liquid is above a predetermined level adjacent the lower part of the well and to open said aperture when theliquid falls below that level, and a body disposed in the lower part of the well and operatively connected to the vent valve, said body being sensitive to the liquid level in the well to open the vent valve when the said level falls below a redetermined level and to close it when the said level rises again.

4. A liquid-carbonating apparatus as claimed inclaim 1 in which the means for actuating the ventvalve comprises a well disposed within the container means and having an opening in its.

upper part throughwhich liquid rising in the container means can flow into the well and having an outlet aperture in its lower part, a valve device for .the said outlet aperture having a part buoyant in liquid and sensitive to change in the liquid level in the container to maintain said aperture closed while the liquid is above a predetermined level adjacent the lower part of the well and to open. said aperture when the liquid falls below that level, a spring operatively connected to the vent valve tending to close the same, and a drainable chambered body arranged in the well and operatively associated with the vent valve and the said spring, said body being constructed to admit liquid to its interior when immersed in liquid in the well and to discharge the liquid fromits interior when not so immersed and having,a weight when containing liquid therein and not immersed, but

not otherwise, to hold the vent valve open against the force of the said spring.

5. A liquid-carbonating apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which the containermeans comprises a tank enclosing the space for mixing the gas and liquid and a second tank having its interior space in open communication with the interior of the first tank-to receive therefrom carbonated liquid for distribution, with the vent passage of the apparatus leading from the upper part of the second tank.

6. In liquid-carbonating apparatus, the combination of closed container means comprising a tank within which CO2 gas can be mixed with liquid under pressure, a second tank having its interior space in open communication with the interior of the first tank to receive therefrom carbonated liquid to be distributed, an interior well arranged in the second tank and having an opening in its upper part through which liquid rising in the said tank can flow into the well and havirm an aperture in its lower part and a float valve for controlling flow of liquid through said aperture, the last named valve being controlled by change of the liquid level outside the said well to open said aperture when said level falls and to close it when the level rises; a liquid supply conduit opening into the first tank; a check valve associated with said conduit for preventing outflow therethrough from the first tank; an inlet conduit for CO2 gas opening into the lower part of the first tank, said conduit having a fixed metering passage and being constructed and arranged to afford constant access of gas to said first tank; a discharge conduit for carbonated liquid leading from the second tank with its inlet opening below the top of the chamber space of the said tank; a gas vent conduit for conducting gas from the upper part of the chamber space of the second tank to the atmosphere, theeflective gas-conducting capacity of said vent conduit being substantially reater than that of the said inlet conduit for gas; a vent valve for controlling flow through the vent conduit; and means for actuating the vent valve controlled by the rise and fall of the level of liquid within the second tank to open the vent conduit when the said liquid falls below a predetermined level and toclose said conduit when said liquid has risen again above said level.

JAIVIES L. HUDSON. 

